zoeng6 ngaa4 taap3象牙塔
Jyutpingzoeng6 ngaa4 taap3
Yalejeuhng ngàh taap
Definition
Ivory tower; an academic environment or state of mind detached from real life.
colloquialpeopleschool
How it's used
Refers specifically to an environment that is detached from the practicalities of daily life, often implying a sense of naivety or privilege. It is frequently used to critique academics or students who lack real world experience. While it carries a slightly intellectual tone, it remains common in everyday discussions about social awareness.
Examples
keoi5佢seng4成jat6日nei1匿喺hai2象zoeng6牙ngaa4塔taap3入jap6面，min6根gan1本bun2唔m4了liu5解gaai2基gei1層cang4生sang1活。
He always hides in his ivory tower and doesn't understand the lives of the grassroots at all.
Do you think you can stay in an ivory tower forever just because you finished school?
Related words
Common phrases
step out of the ivory tower
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being a student or a scholar. The term carries a critical connotation of being out of touch, so it is not used to describe a normal academic setting unless you are implying that the people inside are disconnected from reality.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
